Improvement in hammock-supports



G. WHEELER, Hammock-Support. No. 201,074.

Patented March 5, I878.

N-PETEHS, PHDTCLLITHOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON D C Wihubbu UNITED STATES PATENT OFEIoE.

GEORGE WHEELER, OF NEW SPRINGVILLE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN HAMMOCK-SUPPORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 201,074. dated March 5, 1878 application filed August 14, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WHEELER, of.

I have devised a construction of folding frames adapted to stand independently on the ground or on the floor, to form supports for the hammock along two transverse lines considerably inward from the ends, but sufficiently far apart to receive the occupant between them, and which are capable, when not wanted for use, of being folded into a perfectly flat condition. It may be carried very easily with ordinary baggage. The ends of the hammock being held by pins driven in the ground, or by screw-hooks, or analogous fastenings, put into a floor, these frames serve at the proper positions not only to hold up the central and useful portion of the hammock, but also to hold it better extended, and to counteract, in part, the tendency of the hammock to draw together laterally.

I have also devised additional frame-workin connection with the above, which is adapted to support a mosquito-netting or shade of suitable construction, and to hold it amply extended. This additional framing folds also into the same plane with the other parts, and adds but little to the weight or bulk.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention:

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a general perspective view, showing a pair of my frames extended for use, with a hammock stretched thereon. Fig. 2 is an edge view, representing the upper part of one of the frames on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a face view of a frame folded. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section, corresponding to Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a bottom View, corresponding to Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

The frame which is to stand nearest the head of the occupant should be a little higher than that which is to stand at the foot. In

other respects they are alike, and a description of one will suffice for both.

Ais acomplete rectangular framing of tough wood or other suitable material. B is aframe, forming three sides of a rectangle sufficiently larger than the frameAto inclose it. C is a bolt of metal traversing the two, and serving as an less strained, and may be of smaller stuff.

The lower cross-piece of each frame A and B is subjected to little strain, and may be quite slender. I prefer to make them hollowed out, or each of less thickness in the middle than at and near eachend, as shown. The hollow in the cross-piece of the framing A can receive the string D when the parts are folded to. gether.

A light additional frame, M, forms three sides of a rectangle sufficiently larger than B to inclose it. This frame is also pivoted on the same axial bolt 0, and when in use is thrown up into a nearly vertical position, restin g against stops b, one of which stops is strongly fixed on each side of the frame B, as shown. These allow the frames M to pitch considerably inward or toward each other; but I provide removable pins 02, which can be inserted in holes provided in the frames B, and serve as earlier stops to hold the frames M in more upright positions, if desired in any case. These pins n are confined by strings n, so that they cannot be lost; These frames support a mosquito-net, (not represented,) which may be easily applied and removed in the obvious manner.

1? P are light tapering levers pivoted on the cross-bar at the end of the frameM, at the points 17. When folded they lie very compactly, as shown in Fig. 5. When extended, they overhang the sides of the frame M, and serve to hold the mosquito-net out wider. I provide removable pins q, confined by strings g, which may be inserted through holes in i the levers P and in the: frame 1M, "20 hold the. levers P stifi'iy extended. '1' 1 Y Y i i Y I g I do not: attach any particular importance tothe construction of the hammock ltmay; I

- be of any of the approvedmaterials. I prefer a netting for the body, Y and; a series of eonverging cords at Y each end, terminating in :a

yhookf Y Y i To extend the hammock in a building, I: v screw into the floor eyebolts' G G padapted to. receive the hooks or: other fastenings of the i hammock at each end. i Y

Y To use the hammock with' mysupports oni a lawn orbeach, or on the ground: generally,

Y Y :I provide stakes, gwhich: may be anchored Y strongly inthe ground by simply driving; 1 5 i v i Fig; 16 shows one of thestakesformedwith 1 a loop of; metalor? cordage, which allows: the stake to be driven deeply,and, at: the same Y time,'toform: a strong and convenient means 1 of engagement for the :hook i or analogous fastening means at the end ofthe hammock H 1 Y Various modifications may be made in: the

- details by any good mechanic; I believe that Y the frames may in some cases be made in whole or in part ofvmetal', rising tubing er analogons ligiitjforins ofmetal therefor; but for economy and general convenience l1" prefer Y Y Gertainpartsof the inventionmaiy be useful 9 without the others; thus 31 can dispense with Y the pins n and g, and with 1 their accompanying fastenings, and still makeithe framing:

hard wood; Y

very serviceable; Y

Y I can serrate or otherwise rough'en the-bear- Y in g edge of Y the top crosspiece of 1 each frame 1 A to allow it to better hold the hammock H extended; or I can, if desired, make a second, and even a third and fourth cross-bar in the frame A, at different heights, so that with the same frame the hammock may be held at different elevations by simply passing the end of the hammock through, and causing it to bear 011a second or third bar (not repiresented)v ini Y Y Y i Y steadof the; topcross-banas shown, Y I can,

v of course, employ a dense canopy in lieuof 1 v 1 v the mosquito-net, .(not represented) in cases i Y 7 v v where defense is wanted: against the sunshine.

at noon, Y

i In regions where little inconvenience: is exi y l v a perienced from flies andmosquitoes, loan use 1 the lower parts of: the apparatus without the Y In snch case; the axial bolt 0 may bemado shorter.- v v Inv any event the ends of the boltsshouid be i i i secured by riveting uponwashers, or. other- Y wise, toavoid any liability ofthe partsto be 7 1 Y v V Y Y i i come disengaged hyslipping off the ends, i 1 z v g Y j Whenmadeof wood, as shown, lily-frames, Y

are very simple in construction, and Y maybe 7 1 operated with, a verysmall amount of skill. 1 v i Y 1 They are, in a high degreeflight and portable, v Y

' liesteem: it an; importantieatureithatthe; p g;

construction allows each of the compound sup- 1 V v v v 1 portingirames A B: M to be folded into the. i

same plane, the whole, when fo1ded,bein g thev Y thickness of each one of the slender parts:

Iclaim asinyinventione g v Y Y Y In combination with a hammock,;H, and.

means GrfOi fastening the-ends to-the floor or 1 1 v 7 ground, the frames A B, 1yingioneiwithin the v Y other, and} connected by an axis, 0, as and for frames M and theirattachments.

the purposes herein specified.

: Incombinationwith theframes AB, hav;- I

ing stops 1;, the frame lvhturningonthe same i; i I axis O, and adapted to :support m qu oi net, or'analogouscanopy as hereinspecifiedr- :Y: v 3. lhei'oldinglevers P,in combination with 1 2 v w :the frames M AB and axis 0, andadaptedto serveas and for the purpcsesherein specified In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of August, 1877, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. WHEELER.

Witnesses:

CHAS. O. STn'rsoN,

E. MOW'BRAY. 

